Countryside kicks off $8 million investment

Countryside Feed will expand and update its Hillsboro plant and add new machines during the first phase of an $8 million project set to start in about six weeks.

“The investment shows a strong commitment by our company and its owners to the livestock producers and the feed supply network in the region,” manager Brandon Acton said.

The investment will preserve 30 or more area jobs, Acton said. The company has already added some positions and likely will hire a few more before completing construction.

“We are just looking to set ourselves up for the next 20 years to be able to grow and grab more market share,” he said.

The planned installation of automated packaging and expanded building is expected to boost capacity by 50%.

A new road through Countryside’s property will re-route traffic flow between Santa Fe. and Industrial Sts., which should promote safer traffic flow, Acton said.

The multi-species feed mill merged with Midwest Ag Service, LLC in Seneca in 2018 and grew its service area to include Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Colorado.

“Our main footprint is here in Kansas,” Acton said.

The firm’s branded products include Countryside Feed and Purina.